NEW FLAGPOLE AND FLAGS

The United States flag is the symbol of our nation and its form of government. Displaying the flag is a symbol of our patriotism, pride and support of our nation and the principles and ideals that govern it. In 1999 our assembly voted to donate a flagpole to the Holy Spirit High School. Construction of the school was completed several years earlier, but as of yet a flagpole had not been installed. Our Sir Knights were prepared to install the flagpole and organize a ceremony for its dedication and blessing on November 11, 1999, Veteran's Day. In addition, the Assembly decided to present a new flag to the Holy Spirit Elementary School at the same ceremony. The United States flag being flown by the elementary school at that time, was badly worn by the weather.

FLAGPOLE INSALLATION

		The flagpole, flag and sacrete for the installation were purchased; 2 flags that had flown over the U.S. Capital in Washington D.C. were ordered from Alabama United States Senator Richard Shelby. The Sir Knights gathered together their shovels and wheelbarrow and went to work. The first task was to dig a posthole for the flagpole collar. After inserting the collar in the hole the sacrete was mixed and poured around it to hold it in place. After allowing a week for the cement to dry, the flagpole was placed in the collar. Wedges and sand were used to align the flagpole vertically and the installation completed.

DEDICATION AND BLESSING

The ceremony began at 8:30AM on November 11 in front of the Elementary School. The veterans, the Mayor of Tuscaloosa, Alvin DuPont, Probate Court Judge W. Hardy McCullum, Pastor Holy Spirit Parish Rev. Jerry Deasy, Principal of Holy Spirit Elementary School Ana MacCrone, Principal of Holy Spirit Middle/High School and the students in grades 3-6 assembled around the flagpole at the Elementary School. Our Assembly Honor Guard stood at attention while the school color guard (Boy Scouts) raised the new flag provided by our Assembly for the school. The principal was presented with a certificate of authenticity certifying that the flag had been flown over the United States Capital in Washington D.C.

After presenting the new flag to the elementary school, the Honor Guard marched to the front of the high school and assembled around the new flagpole. There, dignitaries and Rev. Deasy were joined by the middle and high school students. Rev. Jerry Deasy blessed the flagpole and Faithful Navigator Harry Renfroe read a story about what it means to be a veteran. The School Color Guard raised the new flag while the 4th Degree Honor Guard led the assembled crowd in the singing of the Star Spangle Banner. At the conclusion of the ceremony, a reception was held in the lobby of the High School. Members of the local TV station and press covered the event. Video from the event was aired on the local TV news coverage of patriotic events celebrating Veterans' Day.

Our assembly placed a plaque at the base of the flagpole in front of Holy Spirit High School. The plaque commemorates the dedication of the flagpole. The quotation "One Nation Under God" is displayed on the plaque along with the dedication date and assembly name. Through the efforts of the 4th degree of the Knights of Columbus the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was amended by Congress to include the phrase "Under God" after the words "One Nation" on June 14, 1954. On August 17, 1954 President Eisenhower sent a message to Supreme Knight Luke E. Hart recognizing the initiative of the Knights of Columbus in originating and sponsoring the amendment to the Pledge of Allegiance. Brother Knight Jim Headrick and Sir Knights Doug Rhodes and Ray Rumanek installed the plaque on November 27, 2000. It took three 80# bags of quick-create.